The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-07-21
Disseminating for tho Politicians.

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seven persons were present to select eight
delegates. In Caroline county, although
the occasion was cOurt-day lat no time were
there more than twenty-five persons pres
ent to choose eight delegates. In King
George county. after pathetic and passion
ate appeals, I. meeting could not be gotten
up, and it was postponed without appoint
ing single delegate. Will these facts
may indicate Indifference on Ine part OF the
people TO The movements Of the Demo
cratic leaders, we do not regard them as an
assurance that the voters and taxpayers
do not intend to participate III the fall
election. 1t is evidence. to our mind,
that popular distrust of the Democratic |
party is to be manifested, not so much in |
whining and complaint, but III effective
methods which will have decided and de-
terminative effect upon the election OF
members OF the Legislature. 1t would be
strange, indeed. after the experience with
the present Legislature. were the people TO
suhmissiyely place themselves under the
direction and control of the very men who
have so fiagrantly betrayed their interests,
and brought the State into its present de-
pIorable condition. Within two years the
law. which provides for one session OF the
Legislature during that time, has been so
perverted as to Justify .fre sessions, at an
extra expense to the Treasury of over one
hundred thousand dollars. Had there been
any sautary and necessary laws enacted
for the relief of the people and the pro
| motion of their int erestS there might be
urged some excuse for this stretch of au-
thority and abuse Of power. This has not
been the case. We question whether
single statute has been passed that has the
merit of consulting the public welfare.
A vast amount of money which the people
paid INTO the treasury to meet the existing
obligations of the State, has been laylShly
squandered for objects that did not press
for present recognition. Statute upon
statute has been incorporated into the
code to defy the decisions Of the Supreme
Court of the United State, when every
sensible man of the Legislature must have
known that they would eventually prove
futile, after having drawn from the treas
ury indefinite amounts Of money to en-
force their observance, without effect. The
debt question IS i'll Il more complicated
condition than ever before. increasing an
pons threatening to absorb the revenues OF
the State The public schools have been
left in sickly, unhealthy condition, with
the certainty of their further serious i'm
2 pairment, unless relief is provided in the
near future In short there has been no
high purpose to serve the State during the
existence of this Legislature. There has
been prevalent ali excessive partizanism
that was afraid to do the right thing at
the right time. Every consideration re-
lated to the interests OF the people and the
welfare of the State has been sahordinated
. to partizan necessities, and in trying tC
conform to them, not only the party itself
has been damaged, but every interest OF
the Commonwealth has been unfayorably
affected. The most fitting term to express
the condition Of Virginia growing out OF
the enactments of the FIVE sessions of the
I present Legislature, is that it is deplorable.
Not a member of the Democratic party il
q the Legislature has risen to the demands
of the occasion, or shown capacity tC
grasp and master the situation. Parti
IAN spite has been substituted for states
manship. When grave questions OF public
. concern, affecting the interests OF the peo
pie and the relations of the State to Ma
> tional laws, were before the Legislature
We had the exhibition of child ish sulks
y the manifestation OF ignorant bravado and
mouthings about sovereign rights, which
: do not exist. From the Governor down
it seems to have been the ambition to pla..
=. harlequin in disgusting farce, ant
trife with the interests OF the people, re
gardless of consequences.
n With such a record to contemplate, it il
:. no wonder that the people are manifestinE
l. no interest in the movements OF the Leaders
, of a party which so sgnally betrayed TIT
re trusts conlided to it heretofore. OF course
'1 delegates will be appointed and the Con
u vention will be held. We will have som'
:. high sounding resolves and passionate ap
e peals as the result of it's deliberations. Blu
: we doubt very much whether the thought
l. full people of the State, who have to beal
., the burdens of government and foot TIL
Il bills resulting from improyident legisla
ton, can be induced to give their sanction
l. at the ballot box to party that has shown
:, SO much incompetency and such utter dis
y regard of the public interests.
II An unfortunate feat ure of primary politics
o is that the more substantial and cOnserva-
n tive of the citizens do not take the active
p part they should. They leave everything II
" the little ring managers-the polltlca
d leaders, who run the political machine!
g for personal gain and mercenary ends
W without a thought for the true concerns
| of the State. 1t is this default which has
4 brought about the present lamentablt
e conditions. The professionals hold The
70 reins, and the only way now to atone fo
the past and give assurance for the future
is for the solid men of the State to reserve
j. the right to vote as they please on the da,
S of election. regardless OF the party lasl
e ard deceptive resolves. Ii there ever wa
:. a time IN Jn6 history Vi NlISlHfd @liEl
It the genuine manhood OF a people shouls
d be asserted-when rings and caucusses ant
II conventions run in the interest of thu
r. few to the harm of the many, should bt
y Febuked, it is now. The emergencies arr
n pressing and if will require courage, indie
It pendence and patriotism to meet them ,ant
Y place the State in her true position before
is the world. and emaneipaLe the people
v from the embarrassments which oppreS!
them.
l. The Heated Term.
: The hot wave of which we had more
s Chan we wanted, visited Il vast territory.
J. and in the cities was particularly fatal
n The mercury ranged from $50 to 1882. Sun
It day was particularly severe. In Philadel
e phia, sixteen persons died from the effects
S Of the heat in Chicago sixty deaths from
It Che same cause were reported: in Cinciny